Four tips for pet photography

Lead: In the face of animals, we should respect them, love them more and try not to disturb their lives. Shooting animals is similar to shooting people: eyes, posture and movements are the key points to be captured by the camera. The difference is that animals don't move according to people's requirements, and it takes patience and luck to capture wonderful moments. Taking pictures of pets requires the following four tips, so that you can take pictures of pets not only by luck!

Four tips for pet shooting Interesting effects of low-angle shooting Cats are animals with personalities. There is always a feeling of losing control when patting a cat. Sometimes, when it is just in focus, it has run away. Therefore, taking pictures of cats requires not only patience, but also opportunities. It's best to take photos outdoors around 10 am or 4 pm, because natural light is the best at this time. Shooting pets from top to bottom is the least creative perspective, because it is the same as the angle we usually look at cats and dogs. In order to increase the interest, you can try shooting on the ground. Although it is a little troublesome, the extremely close shooting distance and the application of wide-angle lens can make the cat's nose look bigger, get exaggerated visual effects and make the picture more interesting.

Pat the cat at a low angle (F2.8, 1/4000s, ISO 100, 18mm).

The demo above uses a wide-angle lens and is shot at a low angle. When shooting, let the cat's owner gently call its name to attract the cat's attention. The cat's eyes are wide open, showing the feeling of being ready to move. The picture has a unique perspective and is very vivid. In order to get a novel shooting angle, you can also try blind shot, which may get unexpected results.

It's more cute and playful to shoot backwards.

Shooting in the familiar home environment of cats can capture the most relaxed state of cats. It is technically difficult to shoot cats indoors, because cats can't act according to your will. So you can choose a large aperture and a high shutter speed. If you still can't focus accurately, you can still try to improve your sensitivity.

The cat was shot with inverse composition (F9.5,1125s, ISO 100, 50 mm).

In the photo, the cat lying on the sofa was photographed. The background of the sofa is very simple. With the soft light projected from the window, the cat has just combed, and the texture of its coat color looks better. Repeatedly adjust to find the right shooting angle, and finally stand on the top of the cat's head and show the cat's cuteness in a backhand way. Also remind everyone that when shooting cats indoors, try not to fill the light with a flash. On the one hand, avoiding strong flash will scare cats, on the other hand, flash will also produce ugly red-eye effect.

A moving expression with bright eyes

Compared with cats, it is easier to take pictures of dogs. Because many times, food can succeed? Bribe them to make them your friends. Pay attention to safety when shooting large dogs outdoors. Once communication is wrong, it may lead to aggressive behavior. Therefore, it is recommended to adopt a medium-long focal length shooting method. When it turns from dynamic to static, it is the best time to shoot; When it turns from static, it can lock the focus, track and shoot the running dog, and show its vigorous posture. For the puppy, the focus of shooting is to highlight its cuteness. You can use some toys to photograph the naughty moment when the puppy is playing.

Dog owned by owner (F9, 1/500s, ISO 100, 70 mm)

Dogs are much quieter when they are indoors. Because dogs are sticky to their owners, let dogs lie on their owners' shoulders or hold them in their arms, so that pets have a full sense of security. You can take some exaggerated photos with a wide-angle lens centered on the puppy's head to highlight the puppy's demeanor. Pay attention to the use of eye light when shooting. Holding the dog to the window to shoot can shape your eyes.

Use a dark background to create a contrast between light and shadow

Contrast is an important form of pet photography composition, and using light and shadow to create light and shade is also one of the forms of contrast. Pet photography is best to choose light and shadow that can set off the color of fur, so as to highlight the main body. For example, dogs with darker coats are arranged in bright light and shadow, and cats with lighter coats are arranged in dark light and shadow.

Caterpillar probe in the corner (F2.8, 1/80s, ISO1200mm)

The above picture takes the dark stairs where cats often move as the background, which changes the brightness of the picture and highlights the main body. Stair walkways often lack lighting, and cats stick their heads out and look beautiful and vivid in the light. At this time, the cat will be measured. When the exposure of the cat is correct, the background will darken. When using light and shadow to contrast composition, we should pay attention to echo. In the photo, the cat and the left wall are illuminated by natural light, which makes the cat echo the wall, which not only balances the picture, but also points out the environment, making the picture realistic.